The Idea of Europe international forum takes place on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Lithuania’s and Poland’s membership in the European Union. Symbolically, today Lithuania and Poland are also celebrating the 30th anniversary of signing the Treaty of Friendly Relations and Good Neighborly Cooperation. This Treaty transformed the bilateral relations between the two countries, paving the way for the close strategic cooperation that the two neighbors now enjoy.
According to the Head of State, we joined the European Union 20 years ago with high hopes and even higher expectations, and we were certainly not disappointed. Lithuania has been one of the fastest growing countries in Europe over the last 20 years and the Lithuanian people remain one of the biggest supporters of the European Union.
However, the President pointed out, the European Union that we entered is also different from what we have today, and the greatest change is not so much internal as it is provoked by the changing external circumstances. In the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union found itself confronted by a ruthless aggressor not willing to abide by the rules.
“Today, the Ukrainian people are fighting not only for themselves. They are defending Europe—our values, our identity, and our people. Now, Europe needs to ensure that it remains both strong and secure, and to mobilize all necessary resources in support of Ukraine,” Gitanas Nausėda spoke.
According to the President, our actions must be guided by a clear understanding that Russia currently represents the greatest threat to Europe. “Lithuania already knows it, Poland knows it, and the rest of the European Union knows it too,” the Head of State underlined.
The President added that the challenge for us now is to increase the speed of decision making to unlock all of our potential. We need to invest in our security, and to stay committed to expanding the space of freedom, stability, and prosperity beyond the current borders of the European Union and NATO. According to President Gitanas Nausėda, no external actor should have a say in where Europe ends—it is only for us to decide, on the basis of our shared values.
“Today, I have no doubt that Ukrainian people, so bravely fighting Russia’s military aggression, belong to this great new Europe of the future, and I believe in their final victory,” Gitanas Nausėda underlined.
